Reports in the Russian media suggest up to 15,000 animals have starved to death or were killed prematurely at a fur farm in Moscow.

A company near to the Pushkine District apparently had little food to feed its animals, following a money laundering operation by its previous director.

Russia was once one of the world's biggest exporters of fur, with the Pushkinskiy animal-breeding farm becoming the first in the country and introducing breeding traditions within Russia.

Despite increasing demand, animals remaining at the farm could face starvation too, even though this time of year is when their fur is at its most valuable on the market.

At present there is no specific animal welfare law in Russia, with only a select few charities actively campaigning for one.